Air Taxi in Rio de Janeiro: Helicopter and Jet to Búzios, Angra, Paraty, São Paulo and Belo Horizonte
In Rio de Janeiro, the helicopter takes the Linha Vermelha, Linha Amarela and Avenida Brasil out of the equation: Petrópolis is 15–20 minutes away, Búzios and Angra dos Reis about 35 to 45 minutes. For São Paulo, the Citation CJ2 jet covers the leg in some 50 minutes from Santos Dumont airport. Below: routes, flight times, fleet, where to board and how the price is worked out.
Helicopter routes from Rio
Estimated times departing Jacarepaguá or the city airports; they vary with wind and aircraft.
| Destination | Suggested aircraft | Flight time (approx.) |
|---|---|---|
| Galeão (GIG) → South Zone or Barra | Esquilo AS350 B2 / Bell 206 | 10 to 15 min |
| Petrópolis and Itaipava | Esquilo AS350 B2 | 15 to 20 min |
| Angra dos Reis | Esquilo AS350 B2 | 35 to 40 min |
| Búzios | Esquilo AS350 B2 | 35 to 45 min |
| Paraty | Esquilo AS350 B2 | about 45 min |
By road, Búzios, Angra and Paraty are 2h30 to 4 hours from Rio, depending on traffic.
Plane and jet routes
For other capitals, the King Air B200 turboprop and the Citation CJ2 jet operate from Santos Dumont (SDU) or Galeão (GIG).
| Destination | Aircraft | Flight time (approx.) |
|---|---|---|
| São Paulo | Citation CJ2 | about 50 min |
| Belo Horizonte | Citation CJ2 / King Air B200 | 45 to 50 min / about 1h |
| Vitória | King Air B200 / Citation CJ2 | about 1h / about 45 min |
| Brasília | Citation CJ2 | 1h30 to 1h35 |
Available fleet
| Aircraft | Type | Passengers (approx.) | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Airbus Esquilo AS350 B2 | single-engine helicopter | up to 5 | Búzios, Angra, Paraty and Petrópolis |
| Bell 206 Jet Ranger | single-engine helicopter | up to 4 | short hops around the city |
| Beechcraft King Air B200 | twin turboprop | up to 8 | Belo Horizonte, Vitória and short runways |
| Cessna Citation CJ2 | light business jet | 6 to 7 | São Paulo, Belo Horizonte and Brasília |
Final capacity depends on weight on board, baggage and fuel required.
Where to board in Rio
- Jacarepaguá Airport – Roberto Marinho, in the West Zone, the city’s main helicopter base.
- Santos Dumont Airport (SDU), downtown, for planes and jets on short and medium legs.
- Galeão International Airport (GIG), for connections with international flights.
- Private helipads in the South Zone, Barra da Tijuca and approved hotels and residences.
How much an air taxi in Rio costs
The price varies with aircraft, distance and ground waiting time. As a reference, a single-engine helicopter flight hour runs between about R$ 5,000 and R$ 9,500, depending on the model (APPROX.); the King Air B200 and Citation CJ2 are quoted per route, including the aircraft’s return to base.
New Year’s Eve, Carnival and major city events concentrate demand — book early.
Corporate use and scenic flights
Companies use air taxi to fit meetings, site visits and events across the state into a single day. If you just want to see the city from above, the helicopter tour over Christ the Redeemer and Sugarloaf Mountain lasts 15 to 20 minutes and has its own package.
How to book
- Share origin, destination, date, time, passengers and baggage.
- Receive the proposal with aircraft, flight time and approximate prices.
- Confirm; operations handle permits, crew and landing site — and ground transport to the departure point if needed.
- On the day, board at the agreed helipad or terminal.
FAQ: air taxi in Rio de Janeiro
How long is the helicopter flight from Rio to Búzios?
About 35 to 45 minutes, versus 2h30 to 3 hours by car.
And from Rio to Angra dos Reis?
35 to 40 minutes by helicopter.
How long is the jet flight from Rio to São Paulo?
About 50 minutes in a Citation CJ2 from Santos Dumont.
Where are helicopters based in Rio?
The main base is Jacarepaguá Airport in the West Zone; there are also approved helipads in the South Zone and Barra.
How much is a helicopter flight hour in Rio?
Between about R$ 5,000 and R$ 9,500 per flight hour, depending on the model (APPROX.).
Can I fly from Galeão to the South Zone by helicopter?
Yes, in 10 to 15 minutes, landing at an approved helipad.
See also: Private jets and helicopters in Rio: SDU, Galeão and international flights · Air taxi across Rio state · Búzios–Rio by helicopter · Rio de Janeiro helicopter tour · Air taxi to Búzios · Helicopter to Angra dos Reis · Air taxi to Paraty
Get a quote for your flight from Rio de Janeiro: WhatsApp +55 48 98877-0541 · sales@embarqueoficial.com
